Belmont winner Golden Tempo to return to Saratoga for Jim Dandy, Travers

June 8, 2026 - 02:44

Trainer Cherie DeVaux confirmed that Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo will ship back to Keeneland on Monday before launching a summer campaign at Saratoga. The colt is expected to target the Jim Dandy Stakes in late July, with the Travers Stakes in August as the ultimate goal.

Golden Tempo captured the Belmont Stakes earlier this month, holding off a late charge from several rivals to secure his first classic win. The race marked a breakthrough for both the horse and DeVaux, who has steadily built her reputation in the sport. Since that victory, the colt has been recovering and training at Belmont Park, but DeVaux decided a return to Keeneland's familiar surroundings would best prepare him for the next phase.

"We want to give him time to settle back in and then build toward Saratoga," DeVaux said. "The Jim Dandy has always been a logical next step. It gives us a chance to see where he is against top competition before the Travers."

The Jim Dandy, run at Saratoga Race Course, often serves as a key prep for the Travers, one of the most prestigious races for three-year-olds in North America. Golden Tempo's connections believe the mile-and-a-quarter distance of the Travers will suit him well, especially after his strong showing in the Belmont at the same distance.

DeVaux noted that the horse came out of the Belmont in good shape and has maintained his weight and energy. She plans to map out a training schedule that includes a few sharp works at Keeneland before shipping to Saratoga in mid-July. No final decision has been made on who will ride Golden Tempo in the Jim Dandy, but the team expects to have a jockey locked in soon.

With the summer classics approaching, Golden Tempo is poised to be one of the leading contenders in the division.